When a marriage or family experiences their loved one's mental health distress or disorder, it brings about a lot of emotions and frustration. I can relate because my wife's mental health journey had me searching for answers from God, myself, and others. I learned a few things along the way and had the opportunity to encourage countless others couples and families. I don't have all the answers, but I may have some helpful notes for your journey.

1. NOTE: Blame & Fault-Finding Leave Us Stuck In the Mud.

After trying to understand the mental health distress and disorder, one of the first things that naturally comes up is, "Who's fault is it?" and "Why is this happening to us?" This comes with introspective blaming and outward fault-finding. Your loved one is also going through this experience. Many Christians default the situation to a "spiritual issue" with the blame game (sin, flesh, the devil, and God's "discipline"). I remember going through this, and the more I searched for the why and who's fault it was, the more I felt emotionally stuck in the mud!

I had to wrestle out of the mud (mindset) that God brings about suffering and hardship to do a greater work in us. I learned God takes no pleasure in our suffering because He is not a God who uses thorns to humble or help us grow, rather He is with us in our suffering and pain with all sufficient grace.

I've met some of the most endearing Christian couples and families (who did everything right, but not perfect) and end up blaming themselves for not being "a good spouse or parent." They also look at their loved one's faults and/or their bad influences (friends, music, social media, etc.). Then, great Christian friends and pastors give counsel to reinforce this thinking. They were stuck in the mud, too! It's easy to get stuck, we all do. This is just a simple reminder that we grow with Christ in us, with us, around us (always enough in Him), rather than trying to grow up for Him to be pleased and bless our holy efforts (that's the "I'm not enough" thinking).

2. NOTE: God Trusts You, Too!

I remember talking to one family whose young adult child had to live at home because of their mental health condition. They had a great relationship and home life structure, but their loved-one's condition still needed support at home. They were asking me what else they could do even though most of the problems were gone. After some more questions, we realized that they were feeling like (and counseled by other well meaning people) they were failing parents and trying to trust God for more. I encouraged them, like I do with most, "You're doing more right than wrong!" I encouraged them to see the beauty of what they already had and simply let their loved one grow ... eventually, their loved one may want to move on.

And lastly, I encouraged them that I think God already knows their amazing trust (faith), but also to know, "God trusts you, too! ... You're doing great, keep it up!" That took them from failing parents to being affirmed as faithful parents!

3. NOTE: These Emotions Are Normal and Balanced with Love.

All these difficult emotions are normal and right! Experiencing discouragement is not a lack of faith, it is part of the journey of faith. Somehow our brain doesn't do well without a formula that makes sense (maybe that's more a western culture where we need lots of formula steps to fix our pain or just our Adam nature to point the finger at someone else). This is all part of the grieving process to navigate all the challenging emotions (sadness, anger, confusion, doubt, and so on). Yeah, it's messy with a lot of pain, but that's okay and going through the emotions is the faith journey (Christ all in step by step). We know this is part of the process and that's whey we actually cover this topic in our Family Grace Group workbook, "Grieving and Grace."

"Over time, a new peace began to grow. (notice I didn't say "I arrived at a new peace")."

With the support of a few counseling appointments and some very understanding friends, I realized it was okay to have all these wild emotions, but I couldn't stay stuck in the mud of self-blaming and fault-finding. Somehow, the reality of love described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 naturally helped me move forward (day by day and through the months). Over time, a new peace began to grow (notice I didn't say "I arrived at a new peace"). That peace grows into a new acknowledging perspective that the mental health condition is now part of our lives, our marriage and our family, and we needed a new process of life. That new process of life is what my team and I have translated into our various resources to see the whole-health approach for mental health recovery.

4. NOTE: Grieving & Grace Leads to New Meaning of Life (opportunities)!

In John 9:1-3, we find a story of man born blind from birth. The disciples ask Jesus if he or his parents sinned to make him blind. I love Jesus' response: "Neither … but for the work/power of God to be displayed in His life."

"The question for us is not where suffering has come from but what we are to do with it ... Overall, it's about LOVE being fueled by GRACE and GRACE being fueled by LOVE!"

Jesus was changing the whole perspective. I love how the Expository Greek Testament comments on this: "The question for us is not where suffering has come from, but what we are to do with it."That changes the whole scenario to let love move us all forward. That gives a whole new meaning of hope and discovering a new story … reStorying life. Overall, it's about love being fueled by grace and grace being fueled by love.

5. NOTE: Vision Doesn't Inspire Change, Love Does!

This perspective does not develop overnight. It takes time to go through all the emotions and a new perspective along the way provides new meaning and hope. For us, it was my wife and I deciding to live our lives without trying to fulfill some expectation and to get back into our "calling" (as if her condition put our "calling" on hold), but to see what opens up over time as we simply love each other and our family. I understand that without vision, we can get off track. Yet, how love unfolds in us can make vision unique to each of us, because vision arises from love and love fuels where the vision takes us.

So, if you're still in the journey with all kinds of emotions … it's okay! Take this as a helpful reminder that God's not judging you or decreeing these hardships to make you a better "Christian." Instead, consider the perspective that He is right there in you and with you giving you sufficient grace ... to see His works manifest in your marriage and family!

Hopefully these notes provide some encouragement and maybe some creative brainstorming for your journey. What have you found helpful for your journey? Let us know here and/or on our Facebook page.

Have you ever stopped to consider the challenges that teens with common mental health conditions might encounter in fully participating in the activities and programs offered by the typical church?

It's a question we must consider if we are invested in the lives of children and teens with mental illness and value the importance of passing our faith on to future generations. According to a recent study from Baylor University, the likelihood of someone becoming a regular church attender in young adulthood is highly dependent upon an established pattern of church participation during the teen years. The percentage of adolescents who attend church less than once a month who become weekly attenders in young adulthood is 3.2 percent.

To appreciate the struggles that teens might experience in attending worship services, participating in youth group, serving in outreach activities or going on mission trips, we need to recognize how attributes of mental conditions common to this population cause difficulty functioning in the environments where ministry takes place. We also need to see how the interaction of those attributes with common elements of church culture – our expectations for how people should act when we gather together - creates real barriers to church involvement for teens with mental illness.

Here are seven potential barriers to church involvement we might consider for teens with common mental health conditions and their families:

#1 - Stigma: Teens with mental health conditions aren't likely to receive the accommodations and supports that assist with inclusion in school while they're attending church. The stigma associated with mental illness combined with fear of being singled out for special attention and confidentiality concerns often cause teens and their parents to avoid any mention of their support needs to student ministry staff and volunteers.

#2 - Anxiety: Anxiety may represent the mental health condition that prevents the greatest number of teens from attending church. Compared to their peers, teens with anxiety disorders often misperceive the level of risk in new or unfamiliar situations. Consider the range of experiences that might produce intense discomfort or distress for a teen with anxiety seeking to engage at church:

They may struggle with the level of self-disclosure expected as a small group participant.

They may fear becoming the focus of attention during a worship service, small group or youth ministry activity. The prospect of reading from Scripture during a worship service or performing on the worship team might be overwhelming.

Kids with social anxiety are often intensely uncomfortable with the process of making new friends among unfamiliar, same-age peers from other schools. They may struggle to fit in following transitions from children's ministry to middle school ministry, or middle to high school ministry where they are likely to encounter older peers with established friend groups.

Teens who continue to experience separation anxiety may be able to attend church services but experience great distress at the prospect of an overnight retreat or an invitation to participate in a mission trip in a distant city.

#3 - Self-control: Teens with ADHD or other conditions that impact executive functioning (anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychosis) often struggle to get to worship services or other church activities on time. They may experience more difficulty delaying gratification and avoiding negative peer influences and patterns of behavior (substance use, sexual activity) likely to disrupt friendships and relationships with kids from church. They may be prone to intense spiritual experiences on mission trips or retreats but struggle to maintain a spiritually disciplined life when back in their daily routines.

#4 - Sensory processing: Sensory processing differences are often associated with autism spectrum disorders but are very common among teens with anxiety disorders and youth with ADHD. Kids with sensory differences may be averse to light, noise, touch and smells that others find engaging. Activities at church that may provide intense discomfort include...

Worship services with loud music and spectacular light shows

Perfume, cologne and body sprays

Hugs, handshakes and other physical contact

Multiple conversations taking place in close proximity

#5 - Social communication: Kids with anxiety disorders are prone to misinterpret the body language, facial expressions, tone and inflection of voice of their peers. Kids with ADHD often drive peers away through interrupting others when they speak or through impulsive words or actions. Their social communication struggles often interfere with their ability to fully participate in small groups that form the foundation of the discipleship process in many churches.

#6 - Social isolation: A wide range of mental health conditions common to teens may lead to withdrawal from relationships with peers involved at church or inhibit the development of friendships that lead to invitations to church activities. Kids who are depressed withdraw from interests or activities they previously enjoyed, including church. Kids with social anxiety may have a smaller circle of friends to invite them to church. They are less likely to be involved in the range of extracurricular activities that bring their parents into contact with other families who might invite them to church.

#7 - Past experiences of church: Kids with mental health conditions often become targets of bullying because the subtle nature of their disabilities makes them more acceptable targets than kids with overt special needs. In addition, their challenges in regulating their emotional responses to bullying reinforce the behavior among those looking to get a reaction from their targets. When teens encounter their tormentors at church, many will question the authenticity of Christianity and develop perceptions that Christians are hypocritical. Kids who are anxious or obsessive will experience more difficulty in getting past church experiences associated with hurt or discomfort.

Does your church have any type of inclusion strategy to help welcome children and teens with common mental health conditions and their families into your worship services or Christian education activities? What about adults with mental health conditions? Our team at Key Ministry has developed a book to guide churches in developing a mental health outreach and inclusion strategy, and offers lots of free resources and supports to churches seeking to welcome and serve families affected by mental illness in the communities we serve.

The groups offered by the Grace Alliance are an outstanding strategy for supporting individuals and families living with mental illness. In addition, they are preparing to launch the Redefine Grace Group, a small group experience for students (high school & college). As a child and adolescent psychiatrist, I'm well aware that the apple often doesn't fall far from the tree and parents with mental illness often have kids with mental illness. We as the church need to be prepared to welcome and embrace children and teens affected by mental illness while coming alongside parents who are seeking to raise them in the faith.

Stephen Grcevich MD is a child and adolescent psychiatrist in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, serving as president and founder of Key Ministry, an organization that promotes meaningful connection between churches and families of kids with disabilities for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ. He is the author of Mental Health and the Church, a guide for churches seeking to minister with families impacted by mental illness, published by Zondervan in February 2018.

"We have the mind of Christ" - 1 Corinthians 2:16

What does it mean to have the MINDof Christ, but struggle with a MENTAL illness? Let's review four keys to discover an encouraging Biblical perspective that relates to depression, anxiety, and other mental health stressors.

1 | The mind of Christ is a truth perspective about you.

"Now, we have not received the spirit of the world, but rather the Spirit who is from God, that we might KNOW the things freely given to us by God." - 1 Corinthians 2:12

Depression and anxiety (or other mental health stressors) can cloud our emotions and thoughts, which makes it hard to "build up your most holy faith" to keep believing Him. It can feel like it is taking every ounce of life to keep believing. However, having the mind of Christ is not a spiritual goal or objective, it is more about our inherent identity in Christ. It is knowing what we have freely received in Him and how that empowers our lives.

The mind of Christ is an opportunity to see the Father as Christ sees Him. Then, how the Father sees Christ, which ultimately is how He sees you. We are now part of His fullness with all spiritual favor/blessings (2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 1:3-4; Colossians 1:27). The mind of Christ speaks to His love and Spirit at rest within us ... a full satisfaction of being fully graced as children of God (John 1:12, 16). Friends, you can rest knowing that when the mental health stressors cloud your faith and you are trying to believe in Him, you can rest knowing that He believes in you.

2 | The mind of Christ reassures that you always have His presence.

"...which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words." - 1 Corinthians 2:13

It is common for people living with mental health stressors to feel disconnected or distant from God. That "disconnected" feeling is because of the symptoms, not God separating Himself. Having the mind of Christ means, by His Spirit, you always have constant access to the heart and nature of God ... His presence!

His presence is not an emotion. Despite our emotions, He is at rest within us (John 14:20). His presence always comes with His nature to give and bless (try doing a word study on God's "presence"). Thus, why the apostle James wrote that when we endure trials (yes, this includes mental health difficulties) we can still grow and arise from the ashes, "lacking in nothing." The Apostle Paul encouraged us that we can grow (improve) through our trials because we have Him as our Hope (Romans 5:1-5). Additionally, the Apostle John encouraged us that when we feel lonely with no other Christians who deeply understand or there to guide us, we have the Spirit to teach and guide us (1 John 2:27). Ultimately, Jesus said the Holy Spirit, the COMFORTER, would abide and guide us (John 14:16, 26). We can celebrate because God being distant is a myth ... He will never leave us! That's an incredible resource within. Like you, I'm still learning to fully understand the endless majesty and beauty of this!

3 | The Mind of Christ focuses on new life, not failures.

With depression and anxiety comes lots of self-judging and always trying to disqualify yourself from grace (unfortunately religion rules do that, too). This can lead to constant introspection and trying to work back into God's grace. But the mind of Christ isnot for sin-management or keeping religious standards (checklist) to somehow will ourselves "to get right with God" or gain more of His blessings or favor. We already have Christ within - how much more favor or blessings can we get than Christ in us (Colossians 2:8-10)? It is rather KNOWING how right we already are with Him and the comfort and grace we have been enriched with (2 Corinthians 5:21).

| This means that the mind of Christ can help guide you through any mental health stressor to help renew your mind (perspective), reconstruct your heart (resilience), and realign your life (with creative strengths) for greater, healthier outcomes. |

In fact, He will help guide you to the right and healthy people (community) to be part of your journey (I didn't say perfect people). He won't push or pressure, instead He will ignite a grace desire and energy to match His delight for you (Philippians 2:13)! It should feel simple, yet not without some challenge (wherever you are).

| The mind of Christ feels more like a nudge on our humanness than the heavens opening with a booming voice and breakthrough miracles. |

A woman dealing with depression shared that one morning she was feeling the dark and energy-zapping cloud and she retreated back to the bed and could barely move. However, she had this small, inspiring and loving voice guiding her to get up and go outside for a short walk. She personally recognized this as God's Spirit prompting her, because every other thought overwhelming her was dark! She and this motivating thought knew going for walks always helped her relieve the depression. As she took a walk, the depression didn't completely disappear, but she experienced enough relief to carry out her day instead of returning to bed and calling in sick. My friends, I suggest that's what "the heavens opening up" simply look like in the everyday journey!

This is what we often see within our Family Grace or Living Grace small groups. These curriculums help people discover what grace can look like in their mental health journey - looking through the lens of wholeness and hope, not a "manage the brokenness" thinking.

4 | The mind of Christ always reminds you that "you are worthy!"

The mind of Christ means God's mind about you is already made up ... and His thoughts concerning you are always good and pleasing (Colossians 1:12; Psalm 139:17). The mind of Christ will always advocates your redeemed innocence, endorses His love for you, and celebrates that you are His! Mental health stressors can never discount this.

Whether depression, anxiety, or any other mental health diagnosis or circumstance, we have a God who never leaves us to work out our pain on our own. We have a loving God who longs to be gracious to us and to elevate our perspective to a habitation of grace. This grace habitation is in you for the sufficiency of strength and to be revived for greater purpose (Isaiah 57:15). Be patient as you go through the journey because He is patient for you to improve ... He is always saying "you're worth it!"

Let us know what you think about the mind of Christ and how that plays out in someone's life dealing with mental health difficulties. Comment here and our facebook page.

Joe PadillaCEO / Co-Founder The Grace Alliance

If you found this blog helpful, be sure to subscribe to our email updates to stay informed with other blogs and exciting news. You can also order any of our workbooks for your own personal journey and/or to use in one of our small groups (Family or Living Grace Groups) in your area.

If you are reading this article then most likely you have a passion, burden or possibly a curiosity about mental health and the role the church can play in effectively caring for those affected by a mental health disorder.

The following are a few reasons why I got involved and took action to launch mental health support groups at our church.

1.I Needed It!

My wife and I have been in ministry almost 30 years, serving in several different pastoral roles. However, we never imagined that we would be serving in our current role at our church now. We are the Restoration Life Group Pastors at New Life Church in Little Rock, AR, overseeing small groups for individuals impacted by mental health, addiction, grief, abuse or trauma.

"When we were experiencing those dark times over and over again without any end in sight, it began to drain us."

My wife grew up in a family that was impacted by addiction and – unknowingly – mental health disorders. Little did we know that we would walk a dark and lonely journey for many years in our own family. Approximately four years ago, it would come to a critical crisis moment that would change the path and direction for our family of four. As pastors, Kim and I were used to caring for others and supporting them through difficult times. However, when we were experiencing those dark times over and over again without any end in sight, it began to drain us. Existing and making it through each day seemed to be the goal. Passions, dreams and vision seemed to fade and the goal of seeing joy and happiness return within ourselves and our children was the target. Everything else seemed insignificant.

Who can we talk to?

Who can understand and will listen without giving their opinion or unsolicited counsel?

Where is a place that is safe and where we can share our fears, pains, struggles, anger, grief, helplessness and even hopelessness?

Then in 2014, we heard about Grace Alliance for the first time as we listened to the Dr. Matthew Stanford speak on the live stream of the Mental Health and the Church conference (The Gathering by Saddleback Church). Not long after, I contacted the Grace Alliance. After sharing my story and hearing about the hope of the Grace Alliance, I contacted others in our church who had similar stories and we started a Family Grace Group in our church. We have completed four cycles of the curriculum with possibilities for more in the future! The stories of hope and encouragement are a consistent testimony within our members.

2. To Offer Hope to Others

Something that seemed to be launched out of our need has now proven to be a beacon of hope for a growing number of others in our church and community. We knew that there had to be many others who shared our experiences and were also in need of support.

"Since launching the groups, it has been remarkable to see the impact that the group has had on us and others who have attended."

Many attend for the first time feeling timid, broken, exhausted, overwhelmed, stressed, confused, angry, fearful or even relieved, excited to find others in similar circumstances with familiar storylines. The stories are heartbreaking, but the encouragement and hope found within those stories is nothing short of God’s faithfulness and grace extended.

We’re building a network of support that goes much further than a weekly meeting.

It has become a community of friendships that understand and encourage one another.

3. To Provide a Resource For Our Staff and Leaders.

Our Family and Living Grace Groups have become a resource for our pastors and ministry leaders to now be able to refer family members who are struggling with a teen, spouse or a loved one with mental illness or battling addiction.

During a past life group launch, a pastor sought me out and introduced me to a man who was in a serious crisis with a family member. I spent the rest of the evening listening to him and sharing a portion of my journey. He started attending our Family Grace Group and was able to find a Christ-centered ministry recovery center for his daughter. The Grace Group provided vital encouragement for the parents during their daughter's time away. A few months after she returned, she attended our group and shared what God did - and is doing - in her life. Needless to say, the entire group shed some tears of joy and celebration!

Our church staff can now easily connect individuals and families to a place where they know they will be supported. This equips and empowers our staff to effectively care for those who enter our churches.

I knew when we launched our support group that it would be our goal to see these groups implemented at all of our New Life campuses across the state of Arkansas. We currently have 12 campuses with the vision of 50 statewide.

As a pastor, I highly recommend every church to implement some form of mental health support group or ministry.

The Grace Alliance is an amazing resource to assist you with training, materials and support.

“Fight the good fight of faith, take hold of the eternal life to which you were called …” 1 Timothy 6:12

I have heard this scripture sometimes used as motivating counsel for people struggling with depression, anxiety and other life challenges. The premise is that life is a constant "spiritual battle" and we need to stay alert and motivated so "the enemy" doesn't destroy our lives. Other times I've heard this used to "fight" for new breakthroughs in your life.

While there may be some value in those thoughts, but if you are living with depression, anxiety or any other mental health stressors here are a couple of different angles to help understand what it means to "fight the good fight."

1 | Spiritual fighting creates more weakness and exhaustion.

The context of this counsel (fight to keep the enemy at bay or personal breakthrough) can subtly associate depression and anxiety related stressors as a sign of defeat and loosing to "the enemy" (devil, demonic forces). Then, I have seen this lead people to wrestle with judgmental introspection, or examining from others, on why their losing "the fight." The questions point to, "How's your time with the Lord?" or "How's your prayer life?" or "Is there anything in your life you need to get right with God?". In the end, it's a spiritual disciplines problem and the blame is on the person not "fighting" or not doing enough of to "break off" the depression or anxiety. It implies ... "You do your part and God will do His."

| Faith is not motivated by behavior, it's actually inspired by belonging. |

Clinical research shows that people living with depression and/or anxiety have an overactive amygdala, which this overactivity disrupts the brain ability to process process thoughts and balance moods. This means the threat center in their brain is in constant fight, flight, or freeze mode. The counsel to keep "fighting the good fight" is re-triggering the amygdala to stay in high alert mode and self-interpreted as ... "you're not safe until you do 'x, y, and z,' and then God will relieve these burdens." Thus, the depression or anxiety continues making faith more frustrating and exhausting.

For someone struggling with depression, anxiety, and other challenges is that this mindset (fight to keep the enemy at bay or personal breakthrough) leans more to"behavior before belonging," as opposed to a healthier view of "belonging before behavior." So, they are fighting with all their spiritual disciplines (behavior) as best they can to see a breaking off of the enemy's attack and personal breakthrough (belonging). All this because their symptoms are associated as a frail faith and losing to the "attack of the enemy." The problem comes when the depression, anxiety or other symptoms don't go away in days, weeks, or even after a month. The questions are now, "I'm doing everything I can ... Where is God ... Why is God silent ... Why is He not helping me?". It triggers more depression and anxiety. Exhaustion sets in. Then, they want to give up on God.

I saw this one time when someone drove two hours to meet in person. This person had done everything but the symptoms and the voices remained and then said, "I'm ready to give up on Jesus." This person had been through months of heartache, but honestly we only discussed this for 10-20 minutes and then they were okay to keep believing. I didn't have a magic formula, it's because no one ever stopped to question the spiritual formula given (above). This person went on to become one of our amazing Living Grace Group facilitators!

2 | Fight from secure rest vs. fighting to achieve more freedom.

The context of this scripture (1 Timothy 6:12) is not a position of a mental or emotional failure or because you are weak, rather the apostle Paul is reminding us of our permanent security so you do not have to follow after the patterns of this world (or the lies about ourselves and wrong spiritual formulas).

| It's not a "works" fight, it's a "focus" fight. |

Paul is reminding us we have a WHOLE new identity (not of weakness) and because of this we can "fight" to stay focused on the eternal security we already have ... even in depression, anxiety, or any other challenge. It's not a works fight, it's a focus fight. Because a great focus always leads to new ways of living, not vice versa!

Paul follows up saying "fight the good fight" by saying "take hold of the eternal life to which you were called." This means your true identity and grace in Christ is already within reach ... for any journey, condition, or circumstance. So, “fight the good fight” really means …

| Don’t give up or give in to anything contrary to what Christ has already fulfilled in you! So take hold of and rest in your new reality! |

Your breakthrough in Christ has already been fulfilled ... Jesus already made a breakthrough once and for all, we are completely new and lacking in nothing, and no longer need to strive for more of God's blessings or more spiritual breakthroughs. We are living out and growing from our new wholeness in Christ (Romans 6:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:3 and 2:14; 1 Peter 3:18).

The wholeness and oneness with God is fulfilled, there is never any distance or separation ... Jesus is at rest with us and we are at rest with Him; we are complete and have oneness in Him; He has already made us secure over-comers through faith; resting in our eternal security; no more striving to achieve more faith and freedom (Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:13-18 Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27; Hebrews 4:11; 1 John 5:3).

His grace works within us for our benefit (Growth) ... We rest in knowing He is guiding us by grace and working in us toward His good advantage, will, and pleasure; no need to strain ourselves to get more grace or blessings (Romans 8:28, 32; Philippians 2:13).

"I'm satisfied with you" ... Christ is already our security as the author, perfecter, and finisher of faith and our lives ... He cares for us through all of our afflictions and trials; no need to achieve or impress Him to be free from our painful circumstances (Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 12:2).

Jesus fought the good fight in secure rest, not insecure tests!

In the story of Jesus in the wilderness, the devil tempted Jesus by questioning His identity. If you notice, the questions were related to testing Jesus identity in order to create fear, prove Himself, and even give up His identity for earthly glories. The devil tempted Jesus saying … “If you are the Son of God, then … (an action to prove His identity/Himself).” Jesus "fought the good fight" by resting in the Truth of who He was and secure relationship to the Father, not testing or proving it with works. Jesus responded with the Truth, “It is written you shall not put the Lord God to the test." Interesting, Jesus didn't do anything except stand in the Truth of who He was and the devil departed and Jesus returned out of the wilderness in great power (Matthew 4 / Luke 4).

Life hurts and so does mental health stress ... so how do we endure in rest?

When you get a cold, it affects your daily life, makes you feel miserable, slows you down, but it doesn't affect who you are. You know it's a condition and it takes simple rest, healthy options, and time to get better. Mental health difficulties are not comparable to a cold but the same principles can be applied:

a | Endure the hardship and fight the good fight by ACCEPTING how depression, anxiety, or any other mental health challenges affect you. Accepting it doesn't mean spiritual failure or that depression/anxiety or other disorders are your identity, it means that it is a condition affecting you. You need ways to rest, healthy tools, and time to improve. Christ is in you and He is not distant from you in this journey. His satisfied love is in you, with you, for you, and a constant grace to energize your every step. You are enough...and that's what it means to lack nothing in Christ!

| The Word of God is holding you more than you are trying to hold Him! |

b | Fight the good fight (resting in) knowing that the Truth (listed above) is holding you more than you are trying to hold it (Colossians 1:17). With this new secure perspective, your prayers or Bible reading doesn’t have to be about striving to achieve more blessings or a spiritual breakthrough. Instead, it can be a healthy discovery of your beautiful fellowship you already have with God!

Whether the depression, anxiety, or other challenges come and go, “Fight the good fight"by not giving up or giving in to any perspective contrary to what Christ has already fulfilled and given you … a full inheritance of life and a deep love from the Father that will never cast you away (John 6:37; 10:10; 16:27).

What do you think about "Fighting the good fight?" Let us know here and on our facebook page!